Help me spec a HTPC

[davejm]

Hi guys. I'm looking at trying to wittle down some components to build a cheap HTPC. Although I'd like it as cheap as possible, I don't really have a budget in mind, but I'd like it to meet some criteria:-

* As small a motherboard as possible, so I can fit it into a small case such as a shuttle
* A GPU with Hardware HD acceleration
* As silent as possible, i.e passively cooled GPU, aftermarket CPU cooler, silent PSU
* Decent onboard sound, i.e DTS, optical out

So basically I'm looking at building something that will handle HD video encodes, with the potential to play Blu-Ray and HD-DVD at some point in the future.

One thing I'm not sure about is HDCP. Is this something I need to consider in the build? What are the implications of this? I'll be using a DVI->HDMI cable to connect the PC up to the TV.

Cheers guys.

 

[davejm]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-084-SH&groupid=43&catid=110&subcat=

Shuttles generally come with their own motherboard

And they are mega cramped, you might struggle to fit aftermarket coolers in them. It's up to you what processor you put in, that's why you need to set some kind of rough budget. Shuttles might also be difficult to get a decent graphics card in, again that could be dictated by budget anyway.

Cheers mate. I may go for something like an Antec Fusion rather than a shuttle, so that I can be a bit more flexible with the components.

Was looking at this motherboard...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-125-AB

Does it feature HD hardware acceleration? Or is it just the same as any other motherboard but with a HDMI port?

 

[davejm]

Cheers guys... I've come up with this so far:-

Some thoughts:-

* I don't need a TV tuner as most of the content I watch will be HD encodes.
* I don't need a massive HD, as my desktop machine has plenty of space and will be networked up.
* I went for an E4400 and 2gb of RAM to give the system a little bit more grunt.
* The PC will be next to the router, so no wireless card will be needed.
* I quite like the look of the Antec case, and seems nice and compact.

One question... will the PSU drive this system OK? Presumable the Core2Duo won't be pulling much power, and without a dedicated GPU I presume I'd be OK with the included 300W PSU?